New Delhi: At least 24 people were injured when Gurjar protestors demanding Scheduled Tribe status for their community went on a rampage and attacked two trains at Mathura on Monday.
Windowpanes of air-conditioned coaches were shattered and stones were pelted on a goods train, but the Rajasthan police have not made any arrest yet.
While they have registered an FIR against 60 people, they say the question of which police station has jurisdiction over the railway station has not yet been resolved.
Eyewitnesses say a mob of over 3,000 people - who were blocking a highway - dispersed when they were lathicharged and then re-assembled at the railway station.
They first tried to stop a goods train and then the Porbandar Express, pelting passengers with stones, allegedly just 500 metres away from where policemen were posted.
Locals say the attackers came from nearby villagers, but Gurjar leaders insist that no Gurjar was involved in the attack.
"While police have already been deployed, PAC and additional forces have been rushed," District Magistrate T N Singh said.
Normal life was hit in most parts of Uttar Pradesh bordering Delhi as Gurjars damaged vehicles, blocked roads and stopped trains. News agency PTI reports two buses were burnt in Loni and Dadri areas and agitators blocked roads in Sahibabad, Hapur, Massoorie and Garhmukteshwar areas throwing traffic into a tizzy.
The protestors also allegedly threw burning tyres on vehicles on vehicles and burnt effigies.
Daily commuters were the hardest hit as private buses from the area to neighbouring Noida could not ply.
Train traffic too was hit and the Aligarh-Delhi route was suspended for hours together.
Noida SSP A Ganeshan said no train could pass in the section as all morning trains, including Gomti Express and Kalka Express, were halted at different stations.
Traffic from Lucknow and Moradabad to Delhi were diverted for Bulandshar from Garhmukteshwar.
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